Introduction

Someone indicated that they would like to know what the Bible says about showing your feelings. I must say that this is the first time that I have ever been asked about this particular subject, so I was interested as to what I would find in Scripture that related to it.

Feelings and emotions are terms that are used interchangeably since they mean pretty much the same thing. So, in the course of this lesson, I will sometimes use one term or the other. There will also be times where I use both terms. No matter what term(s) I use, you should understand what my meaning is. Are you with me so far? J

Let’s take a look at what Scriptural principles apply to this particular subject.

I. Where did our emotions come from?

a. We see in Scripture that God has emotions. Let me give you some examples:

i. There are times when God is angry. (Exodus 4:14- “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.”)

ii. There are times when God is pleased. (Luke 3:22- “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”)

iii. There are times when God is sad. (Genesis 6:5-6 – “⁵And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”)

b. We also see in Scripture that we are made in the image of God, so that means that He gave us emotions and feelings as well. (Genesis 1:27- “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”)

II. Is it wrong to show your feelings?

a. The answer to this question is very simple. No, it’s not wrong to show your feelings. Jesus did so many times in Scripture. Let me give you some examples:

i. He showed sadness when He wept over Lazarus’ tomb. (John 11:35- “Jesus wept.”)

ii. He showed anger when He ran the money-changers out of the Temple. (Matthew 21:12-13 – “¹²And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, ¹³And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”)

b. However, there’s one thing that you need to understand. It may not be wrong to express your feelings, but there is a right way and a wrong way to do so. We often forget this, and this is where we fall into sin in this area- especially when it comes to negative emotions. (Ephesians 4:26- “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”)

III. What is the right way to show my feelings?

a. Who can we express our feelings to?

i. God

ii. Other people

1. friends

2. enemies

3. strangers

4. authority figures

b. No matter to whom we are expressing our feelings, there are some Biblical principles that help us to do so correctly.

i. Ask God to help you. (Philippians 4:13- “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”)

1. This is one of the touchiest areas of our lives. We should always seek the Lord’s help here!

ii. Show respect and love to the person. (Matthew 22:34-40- “³⁴But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. ³⁵Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, ³⁶Master, which is the great commandment in the law? ³⁷Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”) (Proverbs 3:9- “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:”)

1. This means no insults, name-calling, or anything disrespectful like that.

2. This is especially dealing with those in authority over you. God has given them that authority, so it must be respected. Even if they don’t change their mind, you must still be willing to obey them. (Hebrews 13:17- “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”)

3. Remember- it’s not all about you. Yes, you want to express how you feel, but you are still responsible for treating the other person like God would want you to treat them. (Matthew 22:39- “³⁹And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”)

iii. Control your emotions rather than being controlled by them. (Ephesians 5:18- “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”)

1. This verse teaches us that we are to be under the control of the Holy Spirit. That’s what it means to be “filled with the Spirit”.

Conclusion

I know it seems kind of simple the way I’ve described it here. However, the problems most often arise in this area when we forget just these basic principles. Your feelings and emotions were given to you by God for a purpose. Use them the right way.